Singing the Dark

Elizabeth Levin is a professor of psychology at Laurentian University.

It’s time for bed, and young Kaylie asks her mother to “sing the
dark” as evening approaches. Thus begins Kaylie’s bedtime ritual of
putting on a nightgown, brushing her teeth and hair, and washing her
face. When she is ready for bed, Mom and Kaylie go out to the garden
where the grass is wet with evening dew, and Mom begins to sing. Her
song calls on the day to sleep and the night to awaken. As the song
comes to an end, Kaylie joins in to welcome the stars; night settles in
and sleep is near.

Singing the Dark is a wonderful bedtime story that evokes tender
feelings. Gail Sproule’s gentle text is perfectly matched by Sheena
Lott’s watercolor illustrations, which give the story a dreamy,
sleepytime look. One can almost see the flowers close and colors fade as
night emerges. Highly recommended.